rbrbrb6
Member
5 shot 45 Colt by Ben Forkin with Dall sheep horn grips by Roy Fishpaw.
Custom gun thread, post em’
- Thread starter ladder13
- Start date
Fishinfool
Member
Here is one of mine. It's not fancy - no polished rust blue, or fancy walnut. But, it has a lot of sentimental value, and has taken a fair amount of game over the years.
As a kid, I read a lot of Elmer Keith, and was sold on the big bullet / moderate velocity school of thought for big game. 13 years old, and wanted my first "non-borrowed" big game rifle.
Found a 1909 DWM Argentine Mauser rifle in full military dress for $65 at the local gun shop. Had the barrel re-bored to .35 Whelen, and cut down to 22 inches. Had the bolt handle lowered, and the action drilled & tapped for peep sights and scope mounts. Cut the stock down to match the barrel length, and refinished the wood with hand rubbed oil. Installed sling swivels. That's what started me handloading, as factory .35 Whelen ammo didn't exist back then, and 30-06 brass was common, only requiring neck expansion and trimming for an unlimited supply of cases. I paid for it all by running a trap line - back then coon and red fox pelts brought money, and financed a number of guns and reloading supplies a "kid" shouldn't have been able to afford...
Would never sell that rifle, and I still hunt with it once in a while when I am feeling nostalgic.
Larry
As a kid, I read a lot of Elmer Keith, and was sold on the big bullet / moderate velocity school of thought for big game. 13 years old, and wanted my first "non-borrowed" big game rifle.
Found a 1909 DWM Argentine Mauser rifle in full military dress for $65 at the local gun shop. Had the barrel re-bored to .35 Whelen, and cut down to 22 inches. Had the bolt handle lowered, and the action drilled & tapped for peep sights and scope mounts. Cut the stock down to match the barrel length, and refinished the wood with hand rubbed oil. Installed sling swivels. That's what started me handloading, as factory .35 Whelen ammo didn't exist back then, and 30-06 brass was common, only requiring neck expansion and trimming for an unlimited supply of cases. I paid for it all by running a trap line - back then coon and red fox pelts brought money, and financed a number of guns and reloading supplies a "kid" shouldn't have been able to afford...
Would never sell that rifle, and I still hunt with it once in a while when I am feeling nostalgic.
Larry
Attachments
Last edited:
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Haven't seen a "black rifle " yet. Here's my 6.5 Grendel AR, I assembled from custom parts. CMMG upper and lower receiver, Odinworks 20" barrel, Odinworks bolt and carrier. Wilson Combat adjustable gas block with rifle gas. Precision Firearms muzzle brake. Spike's Tactical VLTOR charging handle. Hogue pistol grip. Geissele handguard, Geissele 2-stage DMR trigger, Magpul adjustable stock. Warne 20 MOA scope mount, Vortex Viper HST 6-24x50 scope. Good for 1100+ yards.
Attachments
Last edited:
Fishinfool
Member
And I'll add a handgun I did myself. Started out as a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag with the factory round trigger guard standard grip frame, only available on the 4 3/4 inch guns. The finish was scratched to heck, and it had Hogue rubbers on it.
I acquired a square back trigger guard grip frame (pretty rough casting) and fit it to the frame (could have been better fit, but I am neither a metal worker, or patient). Put rosewood grips on it, polished out all the scratches, and did a trigger job. Its a favorite woods carry gun now.
Larry
I acquired a square back trigger guard grip frame (pretty rough casting) and fit it to the frame (could have been better fit, but I am neither a metal worker, or patient). Put rosewood grips on it, polished out all the scratches, and did a trigger job. Its a favorite woods carry gun now.
Larry
Attachments
.357magger
Member
Not a full blown custom, just some tweaks by the fine folks at Harrison Consulting regarding reliability, sights, and controls.
One of my favorite Colt 1911s and a real drill in the accuracy department. I'd carry this anywhere (and do) and not feel under gunned.
One of my favorite Colt 1911s and a real drill in the accuracy department. I'd carry this anywhere (and do) and not feel under gunned.
Attachments
Last edited:
OP
The closest thing to a custom that I have is this Model 25-2 from John Jovino Company in New York. It began its life as a 6 inch square butt.
You know I was waiting for that Jovino to show up.
This is a timely thread!
Having a custom gun built is an expensive undertaking. I had a friend who had loved to have custom guns built by the best gunsmiths, stock makers and engravers he could find. He took a bath when he and then his estate sold them off. If you’re going to have a custom gun built, do it because it’s something you really want. Don’t kid yourself and think of it as an investment.
This Colt is a classic example. I picked it up last week at a gun club swap meet for $950. The seller was in his 80’s and I suspect he had well more than his selling price into the upgrades alone. It appears that he shot it very little.
It started out as a 70 Series Colt National Match Gold Cup. According to the serial number, it was made in 1972. He had a gunsmith/engraver friend of his in Montana fit a Clark extended match grade barrel, bushing and compensator. He also had him install a beavertail grip safety and an extended ambidextrous thumb safety and had it engraved and refinished.
I took it to the range on Wednesday and put a couple of boxes of ammo through it. It cycled flawlessly and shoots great! I would never spend the money to have something like this built, but I appreciate the previous owners tastes and extravagance!
Having a custom gun built is an expensive undertaking. I had a friend who had loved to have custom guns built by the best gunsmiths, stock makers and engravers he could find. He took a bath when he and then his estate sold them off. If you’re going to have a custom gun built, do it because it’s something you really want. Don’t kid yourself and think of it as an investment.
This Colt is a classic example. I picked it up last week at a gun club swap meet for $950. The seller was in his 80’s and I suspect he had well more than his selling price into the upgrades alone. It appears that he shot it very little.
It started out as a 70 Series Colt National Match Gold Cup. According to the serial number, it was made in 1972. He had a gunsmith/engraver friend of his in Montana fit a Clark extended match grade barrel, bushing and compensator. He also had him install a beavertail grip safety and an extended ambidextrous thumb safety and had it engraved and refinished.
I took it to the range on Wednesday and put a couple of boxes of ammo through it. It cycled flawlessly and shoots great! I would never spend the money to have something like this built, but I appreciate the previous owners tastes and extravagance!
Attachments
I’m not sure that these qualify as custom, especially in the company of other posts here, but here’s my original duty issued GLOCK 19 Gen2 that was refitted by GLOCK with a Gen3 frame and stippled by the master, Ben Simonson at Boresight Solutions.
And, a former NJSP P7-M8 that was expertly refinished by Walt Birsong with his Black-T and Green-T proprietary finish.
And, a former NJSP P7-M8 that was expertly refinished by Walt Birsong with his Black-T and Green-T proprietary finish.
Attachments
OP
This is a timely thread!
Having a custom gun built is an expensive undertaking. I had a friend who had loved to have custom guns built by the best gunsmiths, stock makers and engravers he could find. He took a bath when he and then his estate sold them off. If you’re going to have a custom gun built, do it because it’s something you really want. Don’t kid yourself and think of it as an investment.
This Colt is a classic example. I picked it up last week at a gun club swap meet for $950. The seller was in his 80’s and I suspect he had well more than his selling price into the upgrades alone. It appears that he shot it very little.
It started out as a 70 Series Colt National Match Gold Cup. According to the serial number, it was made in 1972. He had a gunsmith/engraver friend of his in Montana fit a Clark extended match grade barrel, bushing and compensator. He also had him install a beavertail grip safety and an extended ambidextrous thumb safety and had it engraved and refinished.
I took it to the range on Wednesday and put a couple of boxes of ammo through it. It cycled flawlessly and shoots great! I would never spend the money to have something like this built, but I appreciate the previous owners tastes and extravagance!
Fantastic score!
Here’s another example of money lost on custom upgrades. I picked these Ruger old model stainless .45 Colt Vaquero’s up in 2019. The previous sent them off the Gary Reeder for his Gambler’s Classic conversions. Reeder currently charges $1695 to do the conversion on one gun that the customer supplies!
The previous owner unsuccessfully tried to sell them for a couple years and kept lowering his price. They’re not really my thing, but he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and sold me the pair for less than Reeder’s charges to upgrade just one of them.
The previous owner unsuccessfully tried to sell them for a couple years and kept lowering his price. They’re not really my thing, but he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and sold me the pair for less than Reeder’s charges to upgrade just one of them.
Attachments
Here’s one last example, a Cooper of Montana Model 52 Custom Classic that was special ordered with the following upgrades:
Exhibition Grade French Walnut
Case Color Metal
Case Color Tally Rings
Niedner Checkered Steel Butt Plate
Checkered Bolt Knob
Ebony Grip Cap
Inlayed Sling Swivels
The previous owner told me he never fired it and I believe him. It was sold to me for about 1/3 the original price and still hadn’t been scoped. Thank you very much!
Exhibition Grade French Walnut
Case Color Metal
Case Color Tally Rings
Niedner Checkered Steel Butt Plate
Checkered Bolt Knob
Ebony Grip Cap
Inlayed Sling Swivels
The previous owner told me he never fired it and I believe him. It was sold to me for about 1/3 the original price and still hadn’t been scoped. Thank you very much!
I have several “modified” handguns but no full custom ones. There are some beautiful examples on here.
Here’s my father’s 7x61 Sharpe and Hart custom Mauser made by Thomas Suter in Colorado Springs in 1960. My son owns it now. A great rifle that’s taken a lot of game over the years. Pretty heavy by today’s standard.
Here’s my father’s 7x61 Sharpe and Hart custom Mauser made by Thomas Suter in Colorado Springs in 1960. My son owns it now. A great rifle that’s taken a lot of game over the years. Pretty heavy by today’s standard.
Another one. My 30-40 Krag that a friend gave to me. It was sporterized in the 50’s but was a mess. I did a lot of work on it and it came out pretty good. Real ebony forend and grip cap. Took the comb off and shadow lined the cheek piece, new rubber butt pad and a few other things. Fords filled the extra holes and reblued it. I found a new old stock Redfield receiver sight and and barrel band front sight and put them on.
It’s a great old school custom that shoots great.
It’s a great old school custom that shoots great.
rbrbrb6
Member
USFA 41 Special with drift adjustable front sight, Bisley spurred hammer and Musk Ox grips by Roy Fishpaw.
Old model Ruger Blackhawk that Andy Horvath converted to his L'il Gun configuration in 41 Special with a model 57 barrel, brass grip frame from Ronnie Wells, sheep horn grips and bisley hammer by David Clements. Turnbull did the coloring.
Dual cylinder 41 mag/41 Special #5 based on an early Ruger flat top. The first old model Ruger #5 Hamilton Bowen did and it has an octagon barrel, #5 base pin latch, Powers grip frame and the ivories are carved by Paul Persinger.
Old model Ruger Blackhawk that Andy Horvath converted to his L'il Gun configuration in 41 Special with a model 57 barrel, brass grip frame from Ronnie Wells, sheep horn grips and bisley hammer by David Clements. Turnbull did the coloring.
Dual cylinder 41 mag/41 Special #5 based on an early Ruger flat top. The first old model Ruger #5 Hamilton Bowen did and it has an octagon barrel, #5 base pin latch, Powers grip frame and the ivories are carved by Paul Persinger.
A bunch that I've made, Many I've posted before here. Some maybe not.
Colt Police Positive 38cal.
24k inlays. Grips from English walnut. Orig set of forward facing Colt medallions plated.
Hopkins & Allen Mod Jr. Schuetzen (3922). .22lr Restored from a box of parts, bbl relined, action rebuilt, engraved, Orig wood fixed, finished and recheckered, ect.
[/url]
Original hand engraved CSMCo RBL 28ga SxS done as the pattern then used for the Laser engraved production guns sold.
Winchester 21 20ga IIRC
Owners K9 (Max the Dog) portrait in 24k on the trigger plate.
'Slave' screw in place to hold plate to frame while working on it.
It needed the lettering shaded at this point to finish it up.
Ruger OM 357. Coversion to 45Colt using NM BH bbl 5 1/2"
Orig cyl rechambered. Orig adj sights on frame removed and space filled. Frame recontoured to S&W N frame style. Steel Ruger New Army back strap, steel ejec housing, Custom target style front sight and Euro style trigger. Am Wal grips. Bisley hammer.
Since engraved, only one pic of that
Ithaca/Lefever Nitro Special 12ga. Restocked and metal reshaped/contoured. Engraved, checkered, rust blue and French Grey finish. Owners USN CPO and his son's USN Capt. insignia's in relief gold, silver and copper on the bottom.
S&W Pre-27 restored, engraved and custom grips made and checkered.
Win Model 63 Stocked, checkered, engraved, inlayed and blued. 24k inlays
Checkering pat follows the Win style B-Carving pattern with some of my changes. The engraving, only the placement of the figures follows the Style 8 winchester pattern. American Walnut. checkering 22LPI.
I've done several like this on Model 63, 61, 62 and some other makes of 22 rifles. Fun projects,,then I usually sell them off..
CZ-45 25acp,,daily carry. Engraved one weekend when recovering from heart problem. I've managed so far to hang on to this one.
Colt Police Positive 38cal.
24k inlays. Grips from English walnut. Orig set of forward facing Colt medallions plated.
Hopkins & Allen Mod Jr. Schuetzen (3922). .22lr Restored from a box of parts, bbl relined, action rebuilt, engraved, Orig wood fixed, finished and recheckered, ect.
Original hand engraved CSMCo RBL 28ga SxS done as the pattern then used for the Laser engraved production guns sold.
Winchester 21 20ga IIRC
Owners K9 (Max the Dog) portrait in 24k on the trigger plate.
'Slave' screw in place to hold plate to frame while working on it.
It needed the lettering shaded at this point to finish it up.
Ruger OM 357. Coversion to 45Colt using NM BH bbl 5 1/2"
Orig cyl rechambered. Orig adj sights on frame removed and space filled. Frame recontoured to S&W N frame style. Steel Ruger New Army back strap, steel ejec housing, Custom target style front sight and Euro style trigger. Am Wal grips. Bisley hammer.
Since engraved, only one pic of that
Ithaca/Lefever Nitro Special 12ga. Restocked and metal reshaped/contoured. Engraved, checkered, rust blue and French Grey finish. Owners USN CPO and his son's USN Capt. insignia's in relief gold, silver and copper on the bottom.
S&W Pre-27 restored, engraved and custom grips made and checkered.
Win Model 63 Stocked, checkered, engraved, inlayed and blued. 24k inlays
Checkering pat follows the Win style B-Carving pattern with some of my changes. The engraving, only the placement of the figures follows the Style 8 winchester pattern. American Walnut. checkering 22LPI.
I've done several like this on Model 63, 61, 62 and some other makes of 22 rifles. Fun projects,,then I usually sell them off..
CZ-45 25acp,,daily carry. Engraved one weekend when recovering from heart problem. I've managed so far to hang on to this one.
Last edited:
Capt. F.
Member
I've acquired a considerable number of customized guns that I felt I had a specific need that they fulfilled. Of course, usually I didn't know I needed it until I saw it. Actually with the pictured gun I just read the advertisement and knew I needed it.
This is one of the Brazilian S&W Model 1917 revolvers. This is how I picked it up, except for the Tyler T-grip that I happened to have. I didn't have to reduce the stock of revolvers in their original configurations. There was a lot of corrosive ammunition back during then, so I like to think this was a restoration project that put a worn gun back into working order.
This is one of the Brazilian S&W Model 1917 revolvers. This is how I picked it up, except for the Tyler T-grip that I happened to have. I didn't have to reduce the stock of revolvers in their original configurations. There was a lot of corrosive ammunition back during then, so I like to think this was a restoration project that put a worn gun back into working order.
Attachments
Here’s one last example, a Cooper of Montana Model 52 Custom Classic that was special ordered with the following upgrades:
Exhibition Grade French Walnut
Case Color Metal
Case Color Tally Rings
Niedner Checkered Steel Butt Plate
Checkered Bolt Knob
Ebony Grip Cap
Inlayed Sling Swivels
The previous owner told me he never fired it and I believe him. It was sold to me for about 1/3 the original price and still hadn’t been scoped. Thank you very much!
Do you know who stocked it?
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous work. Very impressive.
Similar threads
